Patrick Holford on Michael Mosley 'Eat, Fast & Live Longer"

Readers of my newsletter, or latest book Ten Secrets of Healthy Ageing will be familiar with the reasons behind the benefits of modified fasting, which lowers blood sugar levels and insulin production. This, in turn, reverses metabolic syndrome and burns fat. The Horizon programme emphasized the need to bring down levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) to extend life and reduce disease risk. In Issue 55 I explained in detail how IGF-1 is associated with disease risk and, in Issue 61, why it is critical for health to keep insulin down. Horizon recommended eating less protein to bring down IGF-1, but failed to mention that the biggest promoter is dairy products. This is why my low-GL diet, which is specifically designed to keep insulin down, includes very little meat or dairy products.

If your goal is to live long and be healthy it’s better to have lower IGF-1 levels, achieved by eating a more plant-based, less meat and dairy based diet. The key is to keep blood sugar levels stable, which means less insulin release. These are the key principles in my low GL diet.